Why do people call brown people black?

Answer 1

There are many answers to this question, but the truly racist or grossly insensitive comments have been removed:

• for lack of a better word....or because sometimes their skin is so dark it looks black. same reason why ppl with orange hair are called red heads
• I totally agree with this. As I am half black myself. We really shouldn't be called black. If you hold a piece of black paper to my skin, I am clearly brown. White people shouldnt be called white either. They are not white, just really light brown. We should all be called Americans. We were all born in america. We just like to lable people in the racist Country. But my answer for you is I dont know. But it needs to change. I hope the people that read this understand.
• Because of African heritage that is known to be in the person. Though there is no shame in being called black whatever the actual skin tone, many people who have the title aren't what is seen as the actual color black. The same is for white people; many aren't actually the color of white but merely carry the title because of European heritage.
• So they don't get confused with Latinos. By the way, have you seen some of the Africans? They're pretty close to black. but not all africans are black
• Black people come in many different shades, and not just a uniform "black". It's much like white people not all being "white" in skin tone.

Answer 2

because they are!